Test: Political Parties - 1 - UPSC MCQ

Recent legislative amendments have tackled the problem of defection in politics by imposing stricter penalties for party switching. Elected representatives now face consequences, such as losing their legislative seats, if they change parties. This measure aims to reduce defection and enhance party discipline, albeit at the potential cost of stifling dissent within political ranks.

Political parties play a crucial role in a democracy by bringing together representatives, helping to support or restrain the government, making policies, and justifying or opposing them. They serve as a mechanism for various views to be presented to the government, supporting the formation of responsible government and ensuring a system of checks and balances.

The empowerment of people is a better way of carrying out political reforms in a democratic country because this should increase and improve the equality of ordinary citizens in political participation.

The CPI came into existence in 1964 as a result of the division of the communist party of India. It is against capitalism and believes in socialism, democracy and secularism.

1. Without political parties, democracies cannot exist. If we do not have political parties, every candidate will be independent.

2.  No one will be able to make any promises to people about major policy changes. 

Partisanship is marked by a strong commitment to a party, group, or faction, and it involves a tendency to take a side rather than maintaining a balanced view. In political contexts, individuals exhibiting partisanship are inclined to support their chosen party's policies and positions without necessarily considering alternative viewpoints.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was founded with the core principles of integral humanism and cultural nationalism. These ideologies form the bedrock of the party's vision, emphasizing a strong and modern India drawing inspiration from India's ancient culture and values, along with Deendayal Upadhyaya's ideas. Cultural nationalism, often referred to as 'Hindutva', plays a significant role in shaping the party's perception of Indian nationhood and politics. This ideological foundation has been central to the BJP's growth and influence in Indian politics.

Political parties play a crucial role in modern democracies by providing people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments. They act as intermediaries between the government and the citizens, making it easier for ordinary people to engage with the political system and have their needs addressed. This accessibility helps foster a sense of connection between the public and the governing bodies, even if full trust in political parties may not always exist.

One of the key measures introduced by the Supreme Court to diminish the impact of money and criminals in elections is the requirement for every election candidate to submit an affidavit detailing their property and any pending criminal cases against them. This initiative aims to increase transparency and provide the public with essential information about the candidates. By making this information accessible, voters can make more informed decisions during elections.

1. Congress Party - United Progressive Alliance

2. Bharatiya Janata Party - National Democratic Alliance

3. Communist Party of India (Marxist) - Left Front

4. Telugu Desam Party - State/Regional Party

Political parties have become omnipresent in democracies worldwide due to their essential role in representing diverse viewpoints, facilitating governance, and ensuring the functioning of a healthy democratic system. They play a crucial role in organizing political competition, mobilizing citizens, and shaping public policy. In essence, political parties serve as key intermediaries between the government and the public, helping to articulate and address the needs and concerns of different segments of society.

Political parties in a democracy primarily come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. They form to agree on policies and programs aimed at promoting the collective good of society. By doing so, they provide citizens with choices in governance and offer a platform for different ideologies and viewpoints. This process is fundamental to the functioning of a democratic system, where political parties play a crucial role in representing and advocating for various interests within society.

Internal democracy within political parties is a critical challenge because it often leads to the concentration of power in one or a few leaders at the top. This concentration of power can marginalize ordinary party members, limit their influence on decision-making processes, and hinder the party's overall democratic functioning. As a result, leaders may assume greater power to make decisions on behalf of the party, potentially excluding dissenting voices and undermining the principles of democracy within the party structure.

Opposition parties in a democracy play a vital role by voicing different views and criticizing the government for its failures or wrong policies. This function is essential for ensuring accountability and transparency within the government. By offering alternative perspectives and challenging the ruling party, opposition parties help maintain a healthy balance of power and encourage public debate on important issues.

India has evolved a multi-party system. It is because the social and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three parties.

Political parties in a democratic system primarily function by putting forward different policies and programs for the voters to choose from. This process helps in grouping a large number of diverse opinions into a few basic positions, providing a direction for policy formulation by the government. By contesting elections, parties seek popular support to execute their proposed policies and programs, ultimately influencing the governance of a country.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was founded on the principles of accountability, clean administration, transparency, and good governance. These core values underline the party's ideology and its approach to governance and politics in India.

Trust in political parties in India is relatively high compared to many advanced countries like Canada, Japan, Spain, and South Korea. Despite the general lack of trust in political parties globally, the level of participation in political party activities has been fairly high in India, indicating a significant level of engagement and affiliation with political organizations among the populace.

In a multiparty system, several parties compete for power, with more than two parties having a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others. This system allows for a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation, although it can lead to political instability.